New Fiscal Showdown Builds Over Debt Limit

Jan 26, 2014 12:20 pm ET

Republican lawmakers insisted Sunday that any increase in the nation’s borrowing authority should have policy changes attached, a demand at odds with White House officials and Senate Democrats, who held firm in their position that Congress must pass a “clean” debt-limit increase.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” said it was “irresponsible” and “unreasonable” for President Barack Obama to call on Congress to raise the debt ceiling without being open to policy changes.

White House advisor Dan Pfeiffer countered that Republicans should “spare the country the drama” of another fiscal showdown like the one that led to a government shutdown in October.

“The American people should not have to pay the Republicans in Congress’ ransom for doing their most basic function, which is paying the bills,” Mr. Pfeiffer said on “Fox News Sunday.”

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